HANOI, Aug 29 Asia Pulse - Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has proposed that the European Union (EU) put an end to the imposition of anti-dumping tax on Vietnam's leather-capped shoes exported to its market.

The Deputy PM told a meeting with European entrepreneurs in Hanoi on August 28 that over the past two years, the EU's anti-dumping tax imposition has affected many businesses, including those from Europe, and particularly nearly 1 million local workers.

He also called on the EU to soon recognise Vietnam as a market economy and urged European entrepreneurs to voice their support for Vietnam's proposals to help boost economic ties between the two sides.

Over 20 years of renewal and international economic integration, Vietnam's socio-economic achievements have always been along with the presence of European businesses, he told the event, held by the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam.

The Deputy PM went on to say that Europe has become Vietnam's most important economic partner, with two-way trade growing at 15-20 per cent annually and reaching US$14 billion last year.

Europe has so far poured more than US$9 billion into around7 30 projects in Vietnam.